Commission Approves Destruction Of 4 Buses

Four old Broward County Transit buses will be destroyed today or Thursday in a safety demonstration.

Approval Tuesday by county commissioners clears the way to burn, crash, submerge and blow up the surplus buses.

Transit system Director Joel Volinski said that depending on the weather, experts from the U.S. Department of Transportation`s Oklahoma-based safety institute would destroy the buses today or Thursday in a demonstration in Pompano Beach for drivers and rescue workers.

The effort is designed to teach drivers and police and fire officials how to safely lead passengers from a bus that is on fire, has crashed or has plunged into a canal. A simulated terrorist attack also is scheduled.

Officials say they are trying to avoid a repeat of a fiery accident in Melbourne that killed seven of 15 people.

The buses to be destroyed are up to 26 years old, system officials said, estimating the buses were worth $50 each after usable parts were removed.

The buses are among 42 declared surplus by county commissioners.

Also Tuesday, county commissioners agreed to send to the parks and recreation commission a request by users of the Markham Park gun range for state money to build a $325,000 clubhouse.